Groundwater in Hancock County contains arsenic, chloride, and fluoride. Arsenic is present at levels high enough to exceed EPA health standards, while chloride and fluoride are detected but at lower concentrations that do not exceed safety limits.
Arsenic occurs naturally in the crystalline rocks that make up the Piedmont and Blue Ridge bedrock underneath this county. As water moves slowly through these ancient rock layers over many years, it dissolves arsenic and carries it into wells. This is a common issue across the region where similar rock types are found.
Groundwater in this county is soft and low in minerals overall. Iron, sodium, and sulfate are all at low levels, which means the water does not have high concentrations of dissolved rock minerals. These characteristics are typical across most wells in the county.
Arsenic is found in wells throughout Hancock County at levels that exceed EPA health standards. Arsenic exposure over many years can increase the risk of cancer and damage to the kidneys, heart, and nervous system. Children are especially vulnerable to these health effects. Testing your well is the only way to know if arsenic is present in your water.
The good news is that wells in Hancock County generally have low levels of minerals that cause problems. Your water is soft, which means you won't see staining from iron, buildup of scale on fixtures, or the taste and odor issues that hard water brings. Soft water is also gentler on appliances like water heaters and dishwashers.
We recommend testing your well for arsenic since it is a concern in this county. Every well is different, so your water could have higher or lower levels than what is common here. A basic test for arsenic runs about fifty to one hundred dollars, and testing is the only way to know what treatment your well actually needs. If arsenic is found, systems like reverse osmosis or special filters can remove it effectively.
Not sure if your well is affected? Get certified results in 5–7 days.
Test Your Well Water with Tap Score →| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 2 | 50% | Low | High ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Iron | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Iron | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Chloride | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrite | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Fluoride | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Lead | 2 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Manganese | 2 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Nitrate | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 4 | 0% | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sulfate | 8 | 0% | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| Hardness | 8 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 4 | — | Low | Safe ⓘ | |
| Sodium | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ | |
| pH | 4 | — | Low | Low ⓘ |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA limit for public water; used as benchmark for private wells). Distribution shows % of sampled wells in each concentration band. Methodology.
* Microbial contaminants (E. coli, coliform) reflect only samples from the last 10 years.
Data shows potential risk — a certified test confirms whether your water is affected.
Order a Tap Score Test →Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.
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